The points of issue
The Viking Press, 1956 - the most acclaimed boxing book, drawn largely from Liebling's New Yorker pieces. First edition is the 1956 Viking issue with the Viking colophon, no later-printing statement, and a first-state dust jacket carrying the printed price.
Is this the true first?
The US Viking first is the true first; long regarded as the high spot of American sportswriting.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings add impression statements. Verify the 1956 Viking issue with a priced first-state jacket. No significant separate book-club issue is a concern for the genuine first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Sweet Science a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: The Viking Press, 1956 - the most acclaimed boxing book, drawn largely from Liebling's New Yorker pieces. First edition is the 1956 Viking issue with the Viking colophon, no later-printing statement, and a first-state dust jacket carrying the printed price.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The US Viking first is the true first; long regarded as the high spot of American sportswriting.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings add impression statements. Verify the 1956 Viking issue with a priced first-state jacket. No significant separate book-club issue is a concern for the genuine first.
I have a first edition of The Sweet Science — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.